Get to know the candidates!
In an effort to encourage our members participation in this race, and in lieu of making an endorsement, we posed the following questions to all of the candidates. All responses have been published exactly as they were received. Candidate responses are presented below in alphabetical order. The special election runoff for Atlanta City Council District 3 will be held on April 16, 2019.
Byron Amos
1. What is your history of involvement with the LGBTQ community?
My history with the LGBTQ community started when I use to secured the front door of the City’s oldest Black LGBTQ Social Club and Lounge, the Marquette. That experience taught me as a professional to respect all. My involvement around policy to support the LGBTQ community came with my service on the Atlanta Board of Education. We are a national leader in the No Place for Hate Campaign and led the way in supporting regulations to address the access to our locker rooms and rest rooms.
2. Due to recent changes in the federal formula, Atlanta may lose as much as 56% of it’s current federal funding for the Housing Opportunity for People with AIDS (HOPWA) program. How would you address these impending cuts to ensure that people living with HIV/AIDS are not impacted?
We must ensure that we find funding for the current HOPWA participants. Stable housing is one of the requirements of a stringent regiment of treatment. We must attempt to identify funds from various local, state and other federal funds to stabilize our current participants. I would also be willing to work with other elected officials to encourage our national leaders to support the HOPWA initiative by restoring it in the Budget.
3. Do you support adding mandatory LGBTQ education and interactions to the police academy curriculum?
I support adding mandatory sensitivity education and interaction training to the police academy’s curriculum, that will include the LGBTQ community and other culturally sensitive communities.
4. How do you plan to address housing equity in District 3 and the city as a whole?
Public-private partnerships are essential to providing housing options that are accessible and affordable for the residents of District 3. My community is a close-knit working-class community, so it is my intention to build on the work of the House Atlanta Task Force recommendations. Specifically, we must expand initiatives like the anti-displacement initiative which is a national model, which focused on reducing the tax burden in gentrifying communities. We must also activate and use real estate which is owned by the City of Atlanta, APS, the Atlanta Beltline and the Atlanta Housing Authority, to create new communities which are affordable.
5. Why should LGBTQ residents of District 3 support your candidacy?
I support equal rights and a just government for all. No matter the race, color, creed or sexual orientation; and as an elected official, I will fight for your rights. I have experienced second-hand the challenges of a family member who is a lesbian. The LGBT community should vote for me because I support inclusiveness and the freedom to be different.
Antonio Brown
1. What is your history of involvement with the LGBTQ community?
Hero for Children established the “Antonio Brown” Scholarship catered to serving LGBTQ+ youth impacted by HIV/AIDS. Most recently, I was proclaimed “Notable Citizen” by the State of Georgia for my work supporting the LGBTQ community.
2. Due to recent changes in the federal formula, Atlanta may lose as much as 56% of it’s current federal funding for the Housing Opportunity for People with AIDS (HOPWA) program. How would you address these impending cuts to ensure that people living with HIV/AIDS are not impacted?
As a member of Atlanta City Council, I will advocate for Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS on the necessary levels of government to ensure those affected by AIDS have affordable, safe, and quality housing. I would also leverage relationships with community partners to help address housing regarding people living with AIDS.
3. Do you support adding mandatory LGBTQ education and interactions to the police academy curriculum?
I support the rights of all people. Members of the LGBTQ+ community must be treated with respect by Atlanta Police, and I will work with the Mayor and Council to ensure this becomes a mandatory piece of the Atlanta Police curriculum. Dialogue is necessary to create a trusting relationship between the LGBTQ+ community and the
Atlanta Police.
4. How do you plan to address housing equity in District 3 and the city as a whole?
I believe in keeping residents in their homes by protecting residents from displacement. Half of District 3 residents are paying over 35% of their household income in rent. Increasing economic mobility through well-paying jobs and educational programs are critical to solving the housing crisis.
5. Why should LGBTQ residents of District 3 support your candidacy?
Throughout my career, I have supported the LGBTQ+ community through many avenues, including a $10,000 donation to amfAR to advance the pace of innovative HIV/AIDS research. Additionally, for the past ten years, I have been a steadfast ambassador of the cause.